A former Major League Baseball pitcher, Jesse Litsch, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Macon Bacon, according to an announcement from the team. Litsch played for the Toronto Blue Jays for eight years and will begin his coaching duties with Macon Bacon in the 2026 season. The Macon Bacon is a summer collegiate baseball team that competes in the Coastal Plain League and is preparing for its ninth season.
Macon Bacon President Brandon Raphael highlighted Litsch’s experience and commitment to player development. “His background as a Major Leaguer, combined with his dedication to mentoring players and giving back to the community, makes him a perfect fit for our organization,” Raphael said.
Litsch brings more than four years of experience managing collegiate athletes. He previously served as head coach of the Sanford River Rats in the Florida Collegiate Summer League, where his team achieved a 26-3 record this year. He also managed the Williamsport Crosscutters in the MLB Draft League for two summers.
Raphael expressed confidence in Litsch’s leadership: “We believe Jesse will bring his drive and winning spirit to Macon, helping us elevate our performance on the field and more importantly give these student-athletes a great experience during their time here in Middle Georgia.”
Litsch stated he is eager to start working with local players: “This team has an incredible fan base and a strong presence in the community, and I look forward to building on that both on and off the field.”
During his major league career from 2007 to 2011 with Toronto, Litsch pitched two complete-game shutouts in 2008, finishing that season with 13 wins and a 3.58 earned-run average.
